Toulouse Olympique will finish Super League Round Two in second place, after victory over Castleford Tigers sees them stay undefeated.
The French side, who are one of three promoted sides to the competition, enjoyed a dominant victory over the West Yorkshire outfit, and outclassed Castleford in almost every department.
Olympqiue secured a 24-12 victory to see them stay at the top, and only points difference splits themselves and Wigan Warriors in first.
Sylvain Houles has been head coach of Toulouse for 14 years, and has been through the highs and lows with the club.
Their previous Super League campaign, in 2022, saw them finish bottom, and without a victory away from home. They have bettered that in just two games in 2026, and continue to prove the doubters wrong.
Commenting on his side’s performance against the Tigers, Houles gave a post-match interview to Sky Sports, and he was left delighted with how his side got the edge over the established Super League club.
He said: “It was a tough game out there. It was a battle and I thought that the boys wanted to compete on every play the ball.
“Our goal line defence, we didn’t concede a point in the second half, and to do this in Super League was outstanding.
“Credit to Castleford, they came here with a plan to play us out wide a little bit and not scared to throw the ball around.
“We came out with some good answers, so I’m really pleased for the group and for the club.”
Olly Ashall-Bott was named Man of the Match for the second week in a row, but another man who stood out was half-back Cesar Rouge.
The French international joined Toulouse in a late switch from Catalans Dragons, and it is a move that is prospering for both player and club so far.
“I have always admired Cesar,” said the boss. “When he was 17, we tried to sign him, but Covid came and he went to Catalans.
“I always looked out for him. He’s a class player, I really like him. He’s a young player, and I could see it in his eyes, his passion for the game. That’s what I loved about him.
“We’ve been in touch a few times and I always admire how he talks about the game… he was supposed to go to England and I said, Sorry, but I want to keep you here in France.”
Providing an injury update on an ex-Wigan Warriors man, Houles confirmed: “We’ve got Jake Shorrocks, who is fit and ready to go.
“We’ve got three tremendous halves and I’m really pleased for Cesar. I’m really pleased for Thomas [Lacans], who’s playing in the Super League and he can show what he’s about.
“I know that Jake, when he’s going to come in, he’s going to do a tremendous job because that’s what he’s done for us in the past.”
Toulouse Olympique boss reveals Super League ‘wish’
Toulouse have been through plenty of adversity in the English competition, from having to play for away clubs’ travel to joining, exiting, then re-joining in 2016, the UK competition.
There have been plenty of critics for French sides in Super League, but after two rounds in 2026, the Olympians are certainly proving their worth.
Houles has been head coach of the club for the majority of the 2010s and 2020s, and there were a number of occasions where he could have departed.
However, he has stuck it out, and is now reaping the rewards. Asked what is motivation is and what keeps him going, he replied:
“This,” as he referred to the atmosphere and his surroundings. “Seeing the Super League in Toulouse.
“I wish, and my vision and my inspiration is one day to play – we’ve got a big ground in Toulouse, it’s a 30,000 capacity. My dream is that one day we play Catalans here and it’s packed. That’s what I wish.
“It’s a tremendous sport. There are warriors out there, but always around. I think it’s a fantastic product and I just want to make sure that we promote it well.
“We make people come to watch us, to support us. [More] performance like that and I think it will happen. I’m hoping that we’re going to bring something new to the Super League.
“That’s the goal. It’s not just in France, but in Europe. It’s a great sport. That’s my plan, that’s my vision.
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